The case report forms (CRF) were sent to each site from the principal investigator with the protocols, which were randomly sealed in a serial of envelopes. After patients' enrollment, the CRFs were filled by the attending physicians at each site according to the protocol of each group. End points were 28-day mortality and in-hospital mortality until 90 days. The demographic data, acute physiological and chronic evaluation score (APACHE) II and other data from patients' basic condition were recorded at enrollment day. The protocol related data were collected at baseline and each hour for 6 hours and then at 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 hours. The ICU and hospital length of stay were also noted and patients were followed up to day 28 and discharge from hospital for mortality. The protocol implementation and data collection stopped when patients or their families wished to withdraw from the program or refuse further treatment or a patient's death.